ACC announces rural rotating practical nursing sites for 2016-17

Written On: 12 February, 2016

ACC announced today that Portage la Prairie, Melita and Dauphin have been selected as the three locations to host the next rural rotating practical nursing sites.

The college’s two-year Practical Nursing program will start in Portage la Prairie in September 2016, Melita in January 2017 and Dauphin in September 2017. Each of the three programs will welcome 25 students.

“We know there is high demand for skilled nurses across Manitoba,” said Karen Hargreaves, ACC’s Dean of Health & Human Services. “These rotating sites bring education opportunities directly to rural communities, connecting students to the training and education needed to succeed in the health care field."

A request for proposals to host rural rotating sites was issued in the fall of 2015 with the college receiving 11 submissions from communities. Proposals were evaluated based on criteria including labour market demand; health care partnerships, which primarily involve practicum placements for students; student demand; student experience and available facilities.

Applications for the program in Portage la Prairie will be accepted in April 2016, for Melita in June 2016 and for Dauphin in March 2017. Those interested in applying to study at any of the three sites should visit assiniboine.net/nursing for details on admission requirements, application dates and the random draw process.

ACC has delivered the Practical Nursing program through rural rotating sites since 1999. The college also has permanent Practical Nursing programs running at its campuses in Brandon and Winnipeg.

Applications for the Practical Nursing program Brandon are currently open and will remain open and accepted on an ongoing basis. Applications for Winnipeg are expected to open later this month. All important updates and information will be made available at assiniboine.net/nursing.

The college’s two-year Practical Nursing diploma program teaches clinical nursing skills in a laboratory setting as well as applied skills in acute and extended care health facilities, personal care homes, community agencies and private homes. In the last three years, 99 per cent of graduates were employed in occupations related to their training.